Hoyer Remarks in Support of Resolution Allowing the Greater Washington Soap Box Derby
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) spoke on the House Floor this afternoon in support of his resolution to allow the 77th Greater Washington Soap Box Derby to take place on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. The event, which takes place on June 16, includes youth from across the Washington Metropolitan area, including many from the Fifth District. Congressman Hoyer has sponsored a resolution in support of the race for the past 27 years. The House passed the resolution this afternoon. Below is a transcript of his remarks and a link to the video:
Click here to view the video.
"Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor every year that I have the opportunity to introduce this resolution and to support it on the Floor. And I just heard the remarks of the gentlelady from Nevada, [Rep. Dina Titus], and I thank her very much for her support, and I thank the gentleman from Pennsylvania, [Rep. Lou Barletta], for his remarks.
"This is our seventy-seventh year – our region's Soap Box Derby will be a fun and educational event that brings families together. It will be held on Saturday, June 16, as I'm sure has already been said, and see soap-box racers from ages eight to seventeen compete in three divisions: stock, super stock, and masters. The winner from each one of these divisions, Mr. Speaker, will go on to compete at the National All-American Soap Box Derby held each year in Akron, Ohio.
"I was very proud of last year's winners from Maryland's Fifth District: eleven-year-olds Ian Jameson in the stock class and Ryan Jameson in super stock. These twin brothers are from Hollywood, Maryland, the county in which I live, which is the most southern county in the state. They worked hard on their soap box racers, as did all the other young people who participated. Ian Jameson went on to win fourth place at the All-American Soap Box Derby in Akron.
"Maryland's Fifth District has been home to several Greater Washington Soap Box Derby champions in recent years, including the winners from 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, and 2014. Is there any doubt in any Members' minds as to why I am so supportive of the soap box derby? We do very well in the derby. Our racers even won national championships in 2007 and 2008. I feel confident that the Fifth District racers will continue to shine this year.
"Soap box derbies have been called the ‘greatest amateur racing event in the world.' They have a long tradition in our country, and many Americans carry fond memories of building soap box racers with their parents or other relatives when they were young.
"So Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise in strong support of this all-American activity that will happen right here on the nation's Capitol Hill."